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T respite following the end of fighting in Gaza is immense. In Israel, the release of surviving detainees has sparked broad celebration. In Gaza and the West Bank, celebrations are taking place as as many as 2,000 Palestinian inmates begin their release – even as concern persists due to ambiguity about who is being freed and where they will be sent. In northern Gaza, people can at last return to dig through rubble for the remains of an approximated 10,000 missing people.

Peace Breakthrough Despite Earlier Odds

As recently as three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire appeared remote. However it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a prestigious peace summit of over 20 world leaders, featuring Sir Keir Starmer. The plan for peace initiated there is set to advance at a assembly in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, successfully brokered this deal happen – contrary to, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Moderated by Past Precedents

Expectations that the deal marks the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, in light of previous instances, rather hopeful. It provides no definite route to sovereignty for Palestinians and risks dividing, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the utter devastation this war leaves behind. The absence of any schedule for Palestinian autonomy in the presidential proposal undermines vainglorious allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “golden age”.

The US president was unable to refrain from dividing and personalising the deal in his speech.

In a moment of respite – with the hostage release, truce and restart of aid – he opted to reframe it as a ethical drama in which he solely restored Israel’s honor after alleged treachery by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration a year ago having attempted a similar deal: a ceasefire tied to relief entry and ultimate political talks.

Meaningful Agency Vital for Authentic Resolution

A plan that refuses one side meaningful agency is incapable of delivering authentic resolution. The truce and aid trucks are to be embraced. But this is not currently political progress. Without mechanisms securing Palestinian engagement and control over their own establishments, any deal endangers cementing subjugation under the discourse of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people urgently require emergency support – and nutrition and medication must be the primary focus. But rebuilding cannot wait. Among 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need support repairing homes, educational facilities, hospitals, places of worship and other institutions shattered by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s interim government to succeed, monetary resources must be disbursed rapidly and safety deficiencies be filled.

Similar to a large portion of Mr Trump’s resolution initiative, allusions to an international stabilisation force and a recommended “peace council” are alarmingly vague.

Global Backing and Potential Developments

Substantial international support for the Palestinian Authority, allowing it to succeed Hamas, is probably the most hopeful scenario. The tremendous pain of the previous 24 months means the moral case for a settlement to the conflict is arguably more critical than ever. But while the halt in fighting, the repatriation of the detainees and pledge by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be accepted as positive steps, Mr Trump’s track record gives little reason to believe he will accomplish – or deem himself compelled to attempt. Short-term relief should not be interpreted as that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.